The Great Invitation

The Great Invitation
Hx : To finance their great world empire, the Romans levied heavy taxes on all nations under their control.
The Jews opposed these taxes because they supported a secular government and its pagan gods, but they were still forced to pay. Does this sound any different from life today?

Luke 19
Jesus and Zacchaeus
Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. 2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich.
Tax collectors were among the most unpopular people in Israel. Jews by birth, they chose to work for Rome and were considered traitors.
It is so much easier to just join in and go along with the crowd, but how many of you know it takes more courage to stand up for what you believe in than just sit back and go along with everyone else.
In Luke 14:34-35 says
“Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? 35 Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!”
We are called to be the salt of the earth.
Many Christians blend into the world and avoid the cost of standing up for Christ.
But Jesus says if Christians loses their distinctive saltiness, they become worthless.
Just as salt flavors and preserves food, we are to preserve the good in the world and bring new flavor to life.
This requires careful planning, willing sacrifice, and unswerving commitment to Christ’s Kingdom. But if a Christian fails to be salty he or she fails to represent Christ in the world.
How salty are you?

We read on: 3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.
What is blocking your view of seeing Christ in your life today? Is it pride, a judgmental attitude, unbelief, or some other sin that you have allowed to take root in your life?
Zacchaueus did what we all need to do and he rose above the obstacle that was hindering him to see Jesus.
His word tells us that we are more than conquers, that victory is ours for the taking.
Now maybe he was only looking for curiosity because he has heard about the many miracles that Jesus performed, he might not of been looking for his life to be changed in a moment but that’s all Christ’s needs for our spirits to be awaken, and our hearts changed.
5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”
Jesus wants to be a guest in your home today; He stands at the door and knocks.
Revelation 3:20-22:

20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.
22 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”
Jesus knocks at the door of our hearts because He wants to save us and have fellowship with us.
He is patient and persistent in trying to get through to us- not breaking and entering, but knocking.
He allows us to decide whether or not to open our life to Him. Do you intentionally keep His life-changing presence and power on the other side of the door?
How did Zaccheus respond?

6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. 7 But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.
When Christ is calling us to come down we must humble ourselves and come down. We must not make haste for delays are dangerous.
We know neither the day nor the hour of His return.
Sometimes we hesitate because we are afraid of what others might think or say.
But not Zacchaeus you see it was common knowledge that tax collectors were making themselves rich by gouging their fellow Jews. So you could only imagine why they despised him so.
He didn’t care nor should we.
When we allow Christ to be a guest in our homes be prepared for a change.
8 Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”
9 Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
2 Corinthians 5:17:
17 this means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
Christians are brand-new people on the inside. The Holy Spirit gives us new life, and we are not the same anymore.
This is not a superficial change that will be quickly supersede by another novelty. This is an entirely new order of all creation under Christ authority. It requires a new way of looking at all people and all of creation.
Does your life reflect this new perspective?
He seeks those that were not worth seeking to: he seeks those that sought him not, and asked not for him, as Zaccheus here.
Zaccheus is declared to be now a happy man, now he is turned from sin to God: now he has bidden Christ welcome to his house, and has become an honest, charitable, good man. All the benefits of salvation are his.
Will you allow all the benefits to be yours today?
Christ knows your name and He is calling you today, when was the last time you communed with Him?
Maybe today will be your first time and maybe today you will meet up with a very old friend once again.
Whatever the case may be He has something great for you, something life changing if only you accept His invitation.
Some of you here today maybe saying “I answered that door a long time ago” and I would say to you that’s great.
Sometimes after awhile we get content in our walk.
For you Christ wants to breathe a breath of fresh air into your life a newness like never before, will you accept His invitation?